As the 2025/26 La Liga season reaches its midpoint, the narrative in Spanish football has shifted from pre-season predictions to a high-stakes tactical chess match. FC Barcelona currently holds the throne, but a rejuvenated Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso and a resilient Atlético Madrid are refusing to let the gap widen. Meanwhile, the battle for the final Champions League spot has become a chaotic four-way tussle, with Villarreal and a surprising Espanyol side defying expectations. At the other end of the spectrum, the threat of the drop is haunting some of Spain’s most storied clubs.
The Current Standing: La Liga Table 2025
# Logo Team W D L FOR Points 1 
Barcelona 15 1 2 51 46 2 
Real Madrid 13 3 2 36 42 3 
Atletico Madrid 11 4 3 33 37 4 
Villarreal 11 2 3 31 35 5 
Espanyol 10 3 4 22 33 6 
Real Betis 7 7 3 29 28 7 
Celta Vigo 5 8 4 20 23 8 
Athletic Club 7 2 9 16 23 9 
Elche 5 7 5 23 22 10 
Sevilla 6 2 9 24 20 11 
Getafe 6 2 9 13 20 12 
Osasuna 5 3 9 17 18 13 
Mallorca 4 6 7 19 18 14 
Alavés 5 3 9 14 18 15 
Rayo Vallecano 4 6 7 13 18 16 
Real Sociedad 4 5 8 21 17 17 
Valencia 3 7 7 16 16 18 
Girona 3 6 8 15 15 19 
Real Oviedo 2 5 10 7 11 20 
Levante 2 4 10 17 10
Analysis: This Week’s Biggest Movers
The most significant movement this week came from the mid-table pack, specifically Espanyol, who have surged into 5th place following a clinical victory over Athletic Club. Their defensive discipline has seen them leapfrog Betis and Celta Vigo, positioning them as the season’s genuine “dark horse” for European qualification. On the flip side, Athletic Club has suffered a frustrating dip; despite their star-studded core, they have tumbled to 8th, struggling to find the consistency needed to stay in the Top 4 conversation.
In the lower half, Osasuna provided the highlight of the week. By securing a crucial victory, they managed to pull themselves up to 12th, creating a vital three-point cushion between themselves and the volatile relegation zone. This shift has piled immense pressure on Real Sociedad and Valencia, both of whom remain uncharacteristically low in the standings (16th and 17th respectively) as the year comes to a close.
Key Takeaways
- Barcelona’s Dominance: Hansi Flick’s side leads the league with 46 points from 18 matches. Their success is built on a lethal attack that has already netted 51 goals, spearheaded by the clinical form of Raphinha and Ferran Torres.
- Mbappé’s Golden Boot Charge: Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé is the undisputed “Pichichi” leader with 18 goals in 18 games, keeping Los Blancos within 4 points of the leaders.
- The Relegation Danger Zone: Girona (18th), Real Oviedo (19th), and Levante (20th) currently occupy the bottom three. Girona’s fall from their heights two seasons ago has been the most shocking story of the 2025 campaign.
- Recent Big Match Impact: Barcelona’s high-scoring 5-3 win over Real Betis earlier this month solidified their mental edge, while Real Madrid’s recent 2-0 win over Sevilla proved they have the defensive grit to sustain a title charge.
Future Outlook: What to Expect Next
As we head into the January window, all eyes are on the “Battle for the Top 4.” Villarreal (4th) holds a slim 2-point lead over Espanyol, and their upcoming clash will likely dictate the momentum for the second half of the season. At the top, Barcelona cannot afford a single slip-up; with Real Madrid’s depth and Mbappé’s record-breaking pace, the four-point gap could vanish within a single weekend. Expect a frantic January as teams like Sevilla and Getafe look to the transfer market to escape their mid-table mediocrity.
